Sunday Streets brings the fun
The parking lot of Habitation Realty was jumping Sunday afternoon. A slushy machine was dispensing free frozen drinks for the kids, employees were handing out bottles of water, and for the dogs, there was a big bowl of ice water and a jar of dog treats.
The company took advantage of the meetand-greet opportunities offered by Cigna Sunday Streets, a city program that periodically closes one major thoroughfare for a four-hour window during the spring and fall. On Sunday, Houston officials closed Washington Avenue, from Heights Boulevard to Westcott, to vehicles so residents could stroll, bike, scooter and skate down the broad avenue.
“We’re just meeting all the neighbors,” said Chris Mastrangelo, owner of the residential and commercial real estate
location that opened its doors 10 months ago.
The street is always so crowded with cars whizzing past the door of his business and others along the busy street, Mastrangelo said.
The break gave him and other brokers a chance to introduce themselves under a big white tent in their parking lot facing Washington.
The program, which is in its second year, is designed to get Houstonians outside and moving and is patterned after an open streets initiative that started in Bogota, Colombia, three decades ago.
It has spread to more than 200 cities worldwide, including 90 in the United States.
“Lots of people in Houston have a pent-up desire to move, ride their bikes and be outdoors with fellow Houstonians,” said Houston Mayor Annise Parker.
Each time it gets bigger, she said, even on days like Sunday when many Houstonians were more focused on football, baseball and the annual Greek Festival.
The city predicted 20,000 people would participate in Cigna Sunday Streets.
“It’s really good for the family to get together and get some activity,” said Lorena Welch, who was carrying a scooter for her 2-year old son, Isaac, who opted instead to share a wagon ride with his 17-month old cousin, Helena Gaitan.
The families came out to enjoy themselves, said Oscar Gaitan, Helena’s father. He is from Bogota and said Sunday Streets in Houston reminds him of the weekly Sunday street closures he enjoyed growing up.
While the walkers, bikers and skaters seemed to be having a good time, city officials are quick to point out it’s not a festival. There are no specially licensed food vendors, beer tents or official entertainment. In fact, it’s bad form to stand in one place, according to the etiquette guide issued by Go Healthy Houston.
However there were plenty of bikes mounted with giant boom boxes, people walking dogs and pet pigs, joggers with baby strollers and lots of parents pulling their children in wagons.
“It’s a lot of fun,” said Sylvia Castillo, who heard about the street closing on the evening news and vowed to give it a try. She brought along her husband, son, sister, two nephews and a niece.
She also got a different view of Washington Avenue. Although Castillo is familiar with the restaurants along the roadway, she’s is typically in a car. Until she hoofed it up and down pulling her niece in a wagon, she had no idea everything was so far apart.
The wide range of Houstonians who came out Sunday to enjoy the great weather was a big plus for Pedal Party, the company that rents out party bikes that look like trolleys. Typically, the company gets its business from bar patrons who see the 16-passenger bike as it winds its way around Houston’s streets at night.
“We don’t always get the moms and dads,” said captain Stephanie Davis. Or attract as many corporate events as it would like.
The company brought one of its party bikes Sunday and was offering free rides. Seeing people riding the bike and having a good time is the best promotion there is, said Davis. Social media comes nowhere close.
Two other street closures are planned this fall. On Sunday, Nov. 1, streets will close in the Museum District and on Sunday, Dec. 13, the four-hour event will move to Midtown.
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